Outdoor Living & Landscaping Trends
Backyards keep moving from “nice to have” to a true extension of the home — a shaded room to cook, gather, and unwind in. These are the outdoor living and landscaping trends shaping how homeowners are using their yards now, each one we build in real timber every day.
Covered outdoor rooms
The patio is becoming a real room. Full pavilions and covered pergolas turn open space into a shaded spot for dining and gathering in almost any weather.
Built-in fire features
Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces anchor the space and stretch the season into cool evenings, often paired with a built-in outdoor kitchen or bar.
Power and lighting built in
The patented TimberVolt® power-post system runs electrical up through the timber for lighting, outlets, and charging — no exposed conduit or dangling cords.
Adjustable louvered roofs
Louvered roofs open for sun and close for shade or rain on demand, so one structure adapts to the day and protects the furniture below.
Solar-ready shade
Structures engineered to carry solar panels turn overhead shade into energy — a practical use of the roof plane that would otherwise just sit in the sun.
Poolside shade
Pergolas and pavilions sited by the pool add shade, style, and a cool place to step out of the sun between swims.
Hot tub retreats
A pergola over the spa adds privacy and a sense of shelter, turning the hot tub into a year-round retreat rather than an afterthought.
Living greenery and trellises
Trellises and open rafters invite climbing plants, blending the structure into the garden and softening it as the greenery fills in.
Curved and radius rooflines
Radius and barrel roofs bring a softer, more architectural silhouette to outdoor structures, a step beyond the standard flat pergola top.
Modern farmhouse timber
Clean lines, privacy shutters, and contemporary timber detailing suit today’s homes — warm real wood with a modern, uncluttered look.
Commercial and campus spaces
Businesses, campuses, and parks are adding timber shade to create inviting outdoor gathering areas that hold up to heavy public use.
Oversized statement structures
Bigger footprints — oversized pergolas and pavilions — turn the yard into a destination that can host a whole gathering, not just a bistro table.
Bring a trend home
Every structure here is custom-engineered to your space and your local code, then shipped pre-cut and ready to build. Request a free design consultation, or call (877) 870-8755 (9 am–5 pm MST).
With 28 Best of State Awards, an HGTV Design Excellence Award, 2026 SBA Utah District Manufacturing Small Business of the Year, and 7,000+ structures built nationwide since 2008, Western Timber Frame is a national authority on custom, structural, handcrafted, real-wood timber frame pergolas and outdoor structures.
